New Zealand's Next Top Model - Series One

We scoured the country from Whangārei to Invercargill, auditioning thousands of hopefuls, looking for New Zealand's Next Top Model. 

– Presenter and judge Sara Tetro, at the start of the first episode

Hosanna, you are so keen. We admire you for your dedication. Sometimes, dedication's not enough. 

– Presenter/judge Sara Tetro gives Hosanna her critique, late in episode two

I had a chat to Craig Owen. He said "she's got a great face" Then he said "you've got the worst attitude." 

– Presenter/judge Sara Tetro gives model Ruby her critique, in episode three

I haven't seen a lot of the girls practicing. Whether it's a part of their tactic — you know, to not practice at all. Or whether...they're doing it on the low when no one's around. 

– Hosanna talks about her colleagues, early in episode four

It is hard here. I thought being a model you went in, you got your hair done, you got pampered, and then you went off and did a shoot. But it's not like that. 

– Model Teryl-Leigh, in episode five

I want this as a career. I want to do this for the rest of my life, so I have to stop thinking about my mum. 

– Model Ajoh, in episode six

With Teryl-Leigh in this challenge, everything went wrong. 

– Presenter/judge Colin Mathura-Jeffree, in episode seven

I don't want to look like I was having too much fun, because I don't want to upset my boyfriend.

– Model Laura describes dong a sexy photoshoot, in episode eight

But on the runway? The wink? Wrong!

– 37.30 Presenter/judge Colin Mathura-Jeffree on Hosanna winking on the runway

Well I'm afraid the fashion industry does have sizes. She's neither a plus size model, nor a sort of skinny rake model. 

– Photographer Nigel Barker discusses model Ruby, in episode 10

We have our moments, but if they have a problem with me and they're bitching behind my back then you know that just means that they're cowards...

– Hosanna on her relationship with the other models, in episode 11

It's really scarey to think that that 30 seconds could effectively send you home. 

– Christobelle describes the challenge of promoting Nivea in episode 12

They can both walk. They can both photograph. What about the attitudes? 

– Presenter/judge Sarah Tetro on the challenges of deciding the ultimate winner out of the final two models, late in episode 13

This show, which aired at the height of the GFC, looks like it cost about a third of NZ’s GDP. Who shoots in Queenstown? Starts with a cast of 33? Has at least eight set pieces in a single episode? It’s jarring and incredibly fun to watch TV made the way it should be – with jetboats and gondola rides and dozens of kids staying at the Heritage  . . .  We’ll never know this opulence again. 

– Duncan Greive writes about the show's scale on website The Spinoff, 17 October 2019

I'm really looking forward to getting to the different parts of the country and meeting girls who might normally think this is beyond their reach. I love hearing someone say 'my neighbour, friend or mum made me come along'. These are the girls who might not realise they’ve got what we need.

– Presenter and Judge Sara Tetro, Stuff, 31 January 2009